The Muslim Lifestyle Marketplace, encompassing the 57 Muslim countries with population of 2.0 billion, plus the 100 million Muslim outside the Muslim world all living in external environment of rising per capital income, internet and mobile phone penetration and commerce represents a growth opportunity.

Zilzar has identified a market-based solution for millions of globally dispersed Small Medium Enterprises (SMEs) that are resource challenged but want to grow by expanding intra-country markets, accessing new markets and customers, and counter-part buyers that want to deal only with credible and certified sellers.

Zilzar’s technology platform has been built using the most contemporary technology and usability standards like flat design and responsive layouts. Much like leading social networks, the buyers and sellers can follow each-other and never miss a deal making it the world’s first trading social network.

With a strong focus on Mobile, Zilzar will provide trading apps to both buyers and sellers empowered with real time messaging solution for both. The messaging solution is integrated with the seller’s inventory allowing trade initiation from within the chat. Another pioneering feature :
Zilzar has partnered with MasterCard Worldwide to offer payment services for buyers and sellers, providing security, trust and convenience for the marketplace.

Dato’ Dr. Vaseehar Hassan Abdul Razack, Chairman of Zilzar said: “Zilzar will meet the needs of both parties by providing a more centralised and accessible online hub, a one-stop shop where products can be marketed globally, safely and ethically.”

Rushdi Siddiqui, CEO of Zilzar, stated, ‘The world is looking for the next BRICS story, growth market with growth demographics, and Zilzar is the e-vehicle for the halal super-highway for empowering micro-SMEs, SMEs, and export ready SMEs with robust information and secure transaction ramps into these new markets for growth.’

Safdar Khan, Group Country Manager, Malaysia, Brunei and Indonesia; group head, Islamic Payments, Southeast Asia, MasterCard, said: “The Muslim lifestyle market has shown tremendous growth. The partnership with Zilzar will undoubtedly open up opportunities for MasterCard to play a more significant role and be the frontrunner in providing seamless payment services to cater to the needs of this dynamic segment. This collaboration truly is an important one for us as it underscores our commitment to ensure payments are safe, smart and secured at all times.”

“This initiative is part of Hong Leong Islamic Bank Berhad’s (HLISB) continued expansion into the digital and electronic banking space, and we are proud to be associated with such bold endeavours within the global Islamic community” commented Raja Teh Maimunah, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of HLISB, who is also the Chief Operating Officer of Digital Innovation and Transactional Banking for Hong Leong Bank Berhad, HLISB parent company.

“With the integration of our own Hong Leong Connect/PEx brand into Zilzar’s infrastructure, this would give rise to a new Shari’ah-compliant global payment gateway. This would indeed facilitate Shari’ah compliant trade worldwide,” she added.